It goes to show you have high standards for your Iaido training. It's great to see someone geninuely interested in Iado to that level. You're exactly the kind of person we need to keep these beautiful traditions alive, so I sincerely thank you for shedding light on the matter. This video truly has a lot of value.
A wise warrior once said. "Never train alone. You will only engrain your errors". Refusing to learn and grow even when you consider yourself a master, is just foolish and silly.
Just about every teacher of value learning from says as much. Usually it goes as some form of proverb like someone who fights in the dark forgets to shine and so on.
I'm greatful for my Sensei and my Dojo. I have experienced nothing less than the best quality and character from all of my teachers and peers. I have never experienced what is being discussed here. Our Judan Sensei from Japan upholds our values and his character is a model that we all strive to emulate. My Sensei here in the US is the very definition of the person I want to develop myself into. I grieve this man's unfortunate experience and I hope he finds a dojo of quality.
"Do you think you'll be able to win with that?" is a completely laughable comment for any Iaidoka to make. There's a time and a place for Iaido. It's a beautiful art (emphasis on art there) and it teaches great discipline and self awareness. However, should an Iaidoka turn up for sparring against a Kendoka, or even worse a western fencer or HEMA practitioner, they will be absolutely destroyed in short order. The reason is simply that Iaido doesn't teach you to fight. Even if you can execute your techniques perfectly in a kata, it means nothing if you can't read your opponent, react quickly enough and have no understanding or experience of how to apply techniques in a real fight. Real fighting is chaotic, unpredictable and doesn't follow the rigid patterns that you've carefully trained into your muscle memory with kata. So this kind of arrogance is absurd. A wise Iaidoka would understand the nature of his art and take a more enlightened, dignified and respectful perspective when contemplating other styles. The fact that Shogo appears to understand this is a credit to him.
An Iaidoka is not limited to practicing only Iaido. I remember a story/legend that someone once asked Nakakura Kyoshi who he thought would win, a Kendoka or a Western fencer. Nakakura replied that if he was the Kendoka then the Kendoka would win, but if he was the fencer then the fencer would win :)
I think it’s not only applicable to Iaido but any other martial art that is purely for hobbyist and the coach treats it that way. The training intensity makes a massive difference. The guys who practice maybe once or twice a week compared to those people who are on the Olympic team just as a general standard for athleticism is insane... In an actual sword fight I would probably even give it to an Olympic figure skater with only a few months training just because they have a much better gas tank/ Stamina, endurance than a Iaido hobbyist.
Iaido is like Taichi a kind of meditation in motion, to fight it is better to learn Kenjutsu, and sometimes it is not traditional Iaido what people learns, it is Seitei Iai modern version it is more like a sport in contest, Battojutsu or Iaijutsu is more for combat too
Agreed. The problem that I've seen along the years practicing Japanese martial arts is that many times the masters/instructors aren't humble enough to realize that a simple butcher is a more skilled (or even skillful) than them. Art is... purely ...art at all.
@@eliomarcosta5752 Heck I wouldn’t limit that comment to just Japanese arts. I’ve seen it extending to all martial arts and even firearm training, like some others have alluded in the comments. I think it’s okay that there are martial arts not used for combat, there is value to them. How does combat suddenly make things more important? This is coming from someone who lost most of their eyesight doing lots of combat heavy MMA training. I used to think anything not combat related was useless, but there is more to life than killing each other I’ve learned. I think both types of arts are important now for their own reasons.
My interest in Iaido is simple but honest. My grandfather was Japanese and so it’s a way of connecting with the Japanese culture and my lineage. It’s also a way to familiarize myself with a sword. Finally a meditative form I can utilize to calm my busy mind while learning a new skill.
As someone who used to tutor I can relate. Although, the "backbiting" was mostly because they wanted my clients so it was more of a short-term thinking business decision. And yes, it does hurt them far more in the long run.
In our kendo/iaido dojo in Poland we started to stray a bit from the pure Zen Ken Ren forms. We started to add reality checks, by simulating the situations from the presented katas in "combat sitiations". I think it is a bit on my behalf, since I also practice HEMA and proposed this idea to my sensei. To be honest, you can learn a lot from adding a bit of speed to the forms, with a second person trying to attack you (bokken or foam sword). I know it is not "pure", but I am really grateful to have this opportunity and an open-minded sensei. To be able to try out what we learned is very satisfying, and puts this wonderful budo art closer to Kyudo.
As someone's who's trained with different schools and taught some, what is can say is that there is no inherent depth or spirituality to any fighting style. That is something the student brings. It will center you, physically improve coordination, strengthen the body but when most of start we think there's something inherently profound to the teaching. Bad instructors use that to their advantage. Good ones just encourage self exploration and give the tools for the student to do so.
This reminds me quite a bit on that scene from Rurouni Kenshin, where Kenshins teacher tells him that fundamentally all swords are tools made to kill and swordsmanship is learning how to kill. You can put some pretty words there and try to add some profound meaning to it, but this fact is something that always remains the same.
I found your channel a few days ago. Let me congrat you on how much I liked it. The way you talk politely, with property on what you are saying, it quite impresses me how you are a formal practicioner of so many traditional arts and find time and will to do so much studying and running a channel of this quality, while still being father of two children and married. You are badass. I bow to your knowledge and dedication. Congratulations from Brazil.
Love this video. I am an Iaido student in Michigan. Personally I am very fortunate I have never experienced any of the negative things in this video at my dojo. However my instructors have definitely talked about how they have experienced all of these back in their training days. We have definitely created an environment of respect to each other, our swords and the art.
I love the quote: “Of course you all are right, because your virtual opponent will always lose to you…” - I am crying, that was such a smart quote against self-declared ‘msaters’
All of this points are constant in every martial art that has some kind of ritualistic manners. I've taught karate and went distant from so many instructors cause of the same ideas you exposed. I was even called less by one of my instructors in public because I valued more the "WHY" I could demonstrate instead of the "HOW" I could win a medal. I I very fond of someone showing evidence instead of just getting a mouthful of unproven theories. Sadly, and as a very experienced person said, "the more flashy and useless the exhibition, the more hands clapping you'll get". Keep speaking your mind on important stuff as long as you have the receipts, Shogo-san. A much appreciated video, and will share with my circle. Thanks a lot.
I've been training iaido for more than 23 years and I didn't encounter the thing you said in your video clip, I also practice kyudo for about three years now and I agree with you that there are common principles across iaido aikido kyudo judo karate, and probably more that I have not exposed to.
As a student of multiple martial arts, including another koryu kenjutsu tradition in addition to MJER, I train in all the various arts as medieval military training, with all that it implies. I would argue that training in the martial arts without preserving the combative intent that the arts were founded on is to be hollow out the arts themselves; its like taking driving lessons without ever having the intent of being able to drive a car.
I agreed. People back in the day passing their knowledge down to future generation would want to keep the combative intent alive along with the techniques either, it's literally why the japanese preserved these arts even after WW2 because their combative intent train both the mind and the body of the practitioners, even when we don't need to use them in our daily life. Training a combat art without it, especially when there's no sparring, people would be better off learning yoga or weight lifting
As a fellow Kenjutsu trainee, I disagree. My dojo definitely upholds the martial intent of our art, to the point of incorporating modern insights into our style. And personally I probably enjoy getting to fight people the most out of all the things I do while training. But still I see the appeal of just practicing martial arts as a form of meditation and a means of cultivating personal growth. In everyday civilian life it is extremely unlikely that you'll ever utilise your skills outside of the dojo or competitions. So for practical purposes it really doesn't matter whether the martial art is viable for combat or not (the obvious exception being schools that claim to prepare you to defend yourself but only teach you how to get yourself stabbed).
Combat as sport versus as war. People do often mistake the former for the latter, though, and that does end up with a lot of people needlessly hurt from applying sports techniques and mentalities to serious violence.
@@jonathanmarth6426 in the arts that I learn the meditative aspects are a means to an end, rather than an end in itself. It seems that people are now learning the martial arts for their side effects rather than their primary objective. I strive to approach a discipline in the manner that it was originally intended: I would study poetry in the way that a professional poet would study it; I study martial arts in the way that a historical martial artist would study it. That doesn't mean that I tend to fight to the death with a sword any more than I would give up my day job to be a professional poet.
I practiced Iaido for about 2-3 years in a small local dojo. Iaido was a side class separate from the main dojo, so it was not the focus of the dojo. It was a very small class (like me and 1-2 other students) and my instructor was awesome. She never had an ego about the style, as she herself was still learning from someone else. Surprisingly enough we actually did practice the etiquette rather extensively. I did compete in the weapons division of local and state tournaments for Iaido (always just kata), and have seen some of the things you mentioned first hand with other dojos. I am not bashing the other dojos but I could see the difference in how Iaido was taught. I know that this is merely an anecdotal story, but it is interesting just how relevant the points you brought up are. Good work!
I liked the honesty that you showed in this video about things that happen in martial arts. I had been in a kendo/iaido dojo for many years where I saw much of what you talk about. The instruction was excellent as were the students, but I always saw this undercurrent in the dojo politics. We were extremely insular and never had shiai with other groups. After a little more than a decade I became the senior student merely because everyone ahead of me left because of these issues. They all tried to warn me but I can be blinded by only seeing the good. I finally left because it caught up to me and the drama passed my ability to overlook it. I joined another kendo dojo and it has been very nice with no drama or personal stress. Unfortunately, I am still looking for an iaido group, but have been practicing on my own for a couple of years now. With kendo I am actually learning and improving again as I am surrounded by better students, who are rokudan and nanadan. So, everything happens for a reason.
Thanks for sharing. This happens in other martial arts as well, and it's all due to the senior instructors. Some tend to stray away from tradition over time while being motivated by money, popularity or something other than the art. As a student you have to stay focused or seek a more serious dojo.
You have hit the nail on the head, much respect to you. I have run into many of the same issues during my journey as well and I think Iaito needs more like minded practitioners.
Wonderfully open and honest video! I never studied Iaido, but I've been a lifelong practitioner of the Martial Arts. I started in a traditional Okinawan art, Isshin-ryu. I studied many other systems before finally residing in what I would consider a "true American" system that was built upon the study of many more traditional systems and the practical application of their original mechanics. It was focused on how physics and how the body works to fully understand where many traditional elements came from. Not so ironically, we ended up pursuing an approach that was very similar to Bruce Lee's approach to training. After all this, I find that for a system to adapt and retain it's presence as a true martial system it needs to stay true to learning and change. Tradition at this point can only hinder, not help, a system to grow to full fruition. A warrior learns by doing, and adapting, and thus growing. While tradition provides structure early on, it ultimately hinders the warriors true growth.
Always love your videos and watching you as I find you a very down to earth and humble person. What you said about disregarding reiho etiquette blew away my mind. I live in a western country (Denmark) and you would never see this happening here where I practice. I cant even imagine it happening. My senseis/instructors are nothing but respectful/non-arrogant and down to earth people just like you are. I cant fathom how things have evolved into that in some japanese dojo's and I hope for you that you can get to influence and evolve Iaido into that wonderful (and logical) vision you have and to pass onto the future generations and safeguard the spirit of a martial art that I've become to deeply admire, respect and to love. Domo arigato gozaimashita.
This also happens in karate, where many say their style of karate is the best style, or the most effective, or the most traditional. However, what’s funny is that the Okinawan masters did not believe in different karate styles (there are quotes from masters like Miyagi-sensei and Funakoshi-sensei). The reason for this is that the more styles you encounter and learn from, the more you can tailor your own skills to your best fighting style. Karate was like an early form of a mixed martial art, and I think the ability to take important components of many martial arts is what makes modern MMA an effective style for actual fighting and self defense. It’s important for us to remember one of the principles of karate: “Karate begins and ends with Rei.”
Hi Shogo, I am a former budo practitioner of iaido and just leaving a comment on my opinion and experiences since you asked in this video @ 2:05. For your three reasons, the first reason I don't really have a useful opinion on since I've only trained in one dojo during my entire training. Your second reason, I have not experienced instructors insulting each other within the dojo. And your last reason, we actually respect "reiho" etiquette in the dojo I trained in. We also do tameshigiri to demonstrate our cutting. I'm sorry to hear that you've experienced that within iaido. Maybe it's because I'm from a different country and there aren't many iaido schools here that I was lucky to get one that is closer to your philosophy and values. For those who want to know what school I trained in, it is the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center (JCCC). The reason I no longer train at the school is because I moved far away. But once you get the katas down, you can train at home.
I've practiced iaido for about 16 years will try to pass godan next year. 1: Does not happen often where I am since we have mostly znkr and Msr iai, and most follow same sensei, but still people have tendency to think similarly. One is better than the other and many disregard etiquette. 2: Happen not so much here but always are some tough people want to do it. I think it's a matter of maturity, skilled and confident sensei need not to do this. 3: Reiho is important but I never heard anyone disregarding it as you describe. We try to do it properly and focus on only doing iaido when we do iaido. Over all to me that focus is what we're cultivating and that makes iaido useful in every day life, a way of doing mindfulness. Kyudo has more zanshin but iaido require the same focus, but Kyudo has the benefit och being iai and tsmeshigiri all in one when real arrow is used. I think iaido and jodo has also good things to learn as it gives a target and sense of distance that we lack in iai.
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Hope this fine video finds "light" [Truth] and "weight" ['Makes a change'] in young and old Iaido practitioners, and for the Federation to look deep inside it's own soul and grou up from this situation. Regards from Tabasco, México [Land of The Olmecs]!
there's Medieval Tournament Fighting in Europe we can take note from. The participants will wear full medieval armors holding bunt steel weapons which is quite safe. Maybe, if we set a duel match wearing full Samurai armor holding iaito, that should be the start of practicing iaido in combat. It needs to improve itself to the point that it can be useful in military.
my martial arts master always thought us that everything we practice in training ground should be apply even when not in training, example avoid talking ill or slur, handle utensils, paperwork etc like you handle a weapon much careful and mindful. And like old samurai or in bushido practice to perfection, literally in anything work, school, walk and even talk. That's how martial artist are respected due to our training of extreme discipline.
Great point explaining in the end that you've met also good instructors, even if almost the entirety of the social and practical aspects of it are corrupt there are a few beams of goodness. That helps on not creating hate mobs while still informing the nasties
17 year veteran of the Martial Arts here: -Karate •Shotokan •Goju •Shorin-Ryu -Wing Chun -Kobudo -Seitei Iaido/Jodo Sadly, you're critique of Iaido is not uncommon across the Martial Arts as a whole, I've met my fair share of students and Instructors with an abhorrent disregard for etiquette, discipline, humility, respect and so on. That said, my current Instructors in my respective Arts I trust and respect absolutely. Being in Australia we don't have easy access to training with our Japanese Masters, so we do our best to adhere to the written teachings and video recordings we have available. In this way we hope to respect and adhere to the Japanese standards as best we can.
Man, I wish I had the time and availability to take up Iaido! I was a Karateka for much of my youth, and the perceived discipline of my Senseis only declined as I moved from dojo to dojo. I had a wonderful Shotokan Sensei in my largely Wado Ryu dojo that I started in, and he was respect and discipline personified. The head Sensei of my first dojo was also wonderful, and these two men forged so much of my young framework, making up for a lack of worthy father figure at home in some ways. As I moved cities and enrolled in other dojos to stay sharp, I truly began to appreciate the instruction of my initial dojo as more and more I saw the art slipping into a jock culture or exercise routine among sensei and practitioners. I was always more into it for personal improvement and self defense than any kind of competitive, outward focus, reveling in Kata, and I would love, LOVE to study an art that is revered as Iaido ideally should be, expressed through Kata. By the time I put Karate down due to time constraints, the dojo I was in was a boys club of lax discipline and a focus on beating other dojos in kumite. I mean, testing yourself against others is important, but all sense of reverence and personal bettering on a non-physical level was just gone. As a scottish/french guy from Canada, I related so strongly to everything you said in this video, Shogo! Thank you so much!
I was genuinely a dumbass and thought "Wait what did Iaido do? What drama did he get into?" I didn't realise until 10 seconds in that Iaido is a style of training in a Dojo, and I forgot Shogo was the OP's name...
Totally agree with all of your points. If I may, I truly believe that a Sensei should show respect to his students too...on how he speaks (especially if corrections on kata are involved) to them in front of everybody without embarrassing the student by saying "I don't know where you learned that..." or "I never taught you that..." wherein the student actually learned the incorrect ways from him, the Sensei who's correcting him. I've always known that part of Iaido and Kenjutsu is cultivating humility, not to be equated with cowardice or a "yes" person all the time. Unfortunately, I got kicked out from kenjutsu, after 10 years of hard work, for speaking up.
And that's why i like kenjutsu a lot more. Reason is simple - there is less of those situation. If two senseis are in disagree they can do what iaido practicioners cannot witch is take your bokkens, put up protection gear go to confront themselves. I whitnessed this once and whole duel was proceded just after very polite and constructive discussion about what style is superior and ended with conclusion that both are efective if used in the right way. Or my suggestion is to have set of bokkens and pads on hand in every iaido dojo. If there is ill talking - let them go have it out. Winner is the one with less bruising :D
I’m so lucky my sempai never acts in the way that’s discussed . We don’t have a Sensei because we live on a small island and the sense is live on the peninsula . But my sempais manner of behaviour is really honourable and he’s so young !
Since I know for myself I do Japanese Arts since childhood by "sacrifice" to other sports :) no regrets at all. For that time I have seen it almost all and by time opening m own Dojo in Macedonia and following the Path I am really happy that I have disolved all if those abnormalities by putting on first place the spirit and soul of Japanese Arts. "Cutting" the vanity Ego first :) Shogo San, your remarks just proving my evidence in which I thank you. * Who is fearing of his knowledge always atacks first. ;)
As a previous karate trainee, i hated the idea that all trainee must do kumite. I went to the dojo for kihon, technique and kata. I never had the ambitions to train for fighting. It ended with I quit training karate.
This permeates all martial arts from what I can tell, and i've practiced TaeKwonDo, HapKiDo, Muay Thai, and Brazilian JiuJitsu. I find the most respectful people in the community are those who have actually tested their skills and fought. It tends to humble people. I'm looking to get into a sword based martial art soon... but I really just can't find anything based on manuscripts or historical evidence for training. It's all pretty modernized, and I wanted to do something with a lot of history behind it, so that's kind of disappointing. Any suggestions from the people in the comments?
Your goal is 1m Subs by January 2023? You already reached it. Congrats! Also respect your bravery for opening up these issues. I know how hard it can be.
it means fans of a samurai fighting game that take many elements of Iaido can actually become better spiritual players like Kyudo's archers, where the master not only won 1st place in many tournaments but also able to beat the enemy in the hardest difficulty level without any damage from the 1st stage to the final stage ...to think about it, some part of this gaming skill are practical in real life (to earn money reward in a fighting game tournament), and at least bringing gaming console in public is not banned
Wow some people in Iaido are seriously lacking integrity! I saw a bit of this myself not so long ago. That's such a shame. In the martial art I trained for a long time, if there was any funny business from anyone, they would be kicked out of the doors so fast they would be unable to bow on the way out! However you would make a great instructor and I hope that there are more like you that can improve the atmosphere for the younger generations.
That was a really cool video and an even cooler martial art. I always find that people that don't have a falsifiable way of measuring their skills, always have some ego or bad mouthing behaviours. It's annoying and feel you. I want to learn this one day but there are just too many practices. Thanks for the video.
When I studied Iaido, I found a great deal of benefit, for muscle memory, discipline, and patience, and most of all the union of mind and body in the techniques being practiced.
Shooting begins and ends with rei. "Shawa, rei ni hajimatte, rei ni owaru". The goal of kyudo is not to hit the target but to hit the self. The only thing we try to kill with the takeyumi is the ego.
"Instructors insist that their theory is absolute " and "Instructors insult each other inside the dojo" are the same issues I have with North America Art Schools. I lean 20 different ways to draw the same head.
There are classical forms of Japanese Jujitsu that involves weapon training including swords (Kendo, Iaido, kenjutsu, bojutsu, jojutsu, judo, etc). You may want to try them out Yes, we also do the bowing to gym, bow to the instructor, bow to opponents, and the katana/bokken, as well as the traditional walking techniques as if you're wearing full armour.
People needs to think about the truly goal of iaido... It's not about fighting or doing perfect tameshigiri, it's about improving yourself as a person by learning the use of a particular style of katana fencing... Katas may teach you several cuts, ways to draw the sword, chiburis and notos but what they are really teaching you are things for life THAT CAN BE DIFFERENT FOR EVERY PERSON, everyone is on their own path and has to polish themselves in their own way... I practice iaijutsu in MJER (if you get it you get it) for 13 years more or less... And the more I practice the more I reflect about this and the more I perceive the difficulty of iaido and the long way ahead of me... Also, if you practice Seitei for too long it's okay but, what about trying some koryu? Maybe you can find there what you are looking for...
Well, I tend to agree with your theory. Thats why i like HEMA [ Historical European Martial Arts] myself. I really appreciate deep explanation of your reasoning. Well done.
For me, one thing that makes me avoid certain martial arts and prefer others is that I don't like it if too much focus is put on competition, tournaments, and being better than other people. I don't train martial arts to be better than other people. I train, to be better than myself of yesterday.
Main problem with katas, and fighting a non resistant apponent or imaginary apponent is inflation of ego and own ability. It seems like Iado practitioner should train kendo or like historical European material arts as part of their practice, otherwise it is like learning to elegantly laying down a arrow on the bow but never learning how to shoot.
We have something very similar here in the USA! But instead of a sword we have the AR, and instead of a dojo we train and practice the art at the range. I my self am a student of 308win and we insult each other also, their are many other styles 223 , 280,30-06, 300mag and many more. Each one thinks theirs is the most effective.
The thing about teaching any kind of technique, without practical experience, is that it is all basically hypothetical. In this day and age, no one actually uses a katana in 'practical' combat scenarios, therefore honestly anything ANY instructor says is purely opinionated. The best way I can put this is, if you don't "Live and die by the sword" then any input you have is only conjecture. I appreciate the Katana, and what it represents, specifics of how it is used is based solely on results, not necessarily the convictions behind it. Any insults being hurled from one instructor to another are just biased, as they have no legitimate grounds for any insults, it is PURELY based on their own perception of the art form, they have no PRACTICAL experience with it.
So much unnecessary confusion and needless argument. Jitsu = combat Sports = competition (non-lethal) Do = personal development and refinement Jitsu = show me the head of your enemy Sports = show me your trophy Do = show me the content of your character Just choose the one(s) you want. Let others do the same. Save your criticism for yourself and strive sincerely (makoto) to bring forth your most skilled ‘self’.
Iaido has changed a lot during the last 50 years. It has evolved to become less accident prone and thus less lethal. Many old fashioned Iaido schools still teach combat skills with wooden swords and synchronized duel with real katana, although only at higher levels (3rd dan and above).
Very interesting and thoughtful insight into the world of Iaido. I have been thinking about learning it. But now I am wondering what form of martial would teach me best of both fighting and spirituality ? If I want to learn sword skills and also practice it to better myself what should I learn ? I don't want to learn to use Katana without learning how to actually fight with it. Kinds of feels like waste to me.
As an iaido practicioner since 1988 I've been looking more and more towards battodo or even battojutsu. The best thing I've done is sparring with shinai against a human.
In my opinion, Iaido is supposed to be a sport for the body and mind, it is supposed to encourage the Iaidoka to learn and grow by learning more and more katas, thus expanding his or her view on the martial art, and life. If a sensei or master cannot comprehend this, he is no master but a fool.
I was actually really surprised to hear that such things occur within the Iaido community. Ive been practicing HEMA for sometime now, and honestly couldn't imagine hearing that level of disrespect between instructors. At least for myself and the instructors that I have, the principals are generally the same, its about training the body and mind, and discipline. How can a student achieve those goals if the instructors cant even trust each other, or respect their own art? I truly hop that as more become aware of this that something can be done to rectify it, would be a real shame if these teachings, and the art are allowed to die off over such things.
I have gone through a similar experience to the bad mouthing of other styles or Sensei's at an Iaido seminar. I wish there was more respect for different styles of Iaido within Iaido itself.
This is so true. I’ve been training budo for 26 years, and I’m very sorry to say that the lack of respect is very common on the tatami.I practice Aikibudo and Tenshin Shoden katori Shinto Ryu. There are so many people who do not belong in a dojo. Domo arigota gozamasu Mr. Shogo.
Been practicing Iaido for 10+ years, came from kenjutsu, and am doing kendo in parallel. The most disappointing aspect for me is most instructors’ glaring lack of anything resembling combat, or even tameshigiri, experience. Modern Iaido is sort of like Tai Chi, if you know what I mean.
Hi ! to share with you my experience, i think you are more than lucky to be in Japan ( and be Japanese ) because all of your culture , traditions, including martial art and else, are unique, precious, and way beyond the western world . In that case, i trian alone, by myslef wiht a bokken since 7 years and now 2 years with a Katana . i have no one to show me, no one to teach me, to share, i am all alone, . So, even tho you may bot like some of your practices, i think you are way beyond lukcy to be in Japan, and be able to practice and honor your great country and it's huge heritage :)
In the United States, insulting ones martial teacher is a grave offence. It spans the martial arts. Even in high school wrestling, if you insult a grapplers coach, things get personal very quickly.
about the first point i like the way people approach it in hema manuscrypts are like recipies they point you towards a direcrion but everyone has their own mixture of perfection
Being a historical martial arts enthusiast from Germany i had been trying out Iaido in my area too and the toxic environment u described was so in point for the schools here... that's why i never picked it up as an actual student. it's kind of sad, because i realy enjoyed the historical and trditional background of it.
Wenn ich das alles so lese, bin ich echt froh, dass es bei uns nicht so zugeht! Tut mir leid, dass du so schlechte Erfahrungen gemacht hast, Iaido kann wirklich sehr faszinierend sein, vor allem vor dem historischen Hintergrund. Ich hoffe, du findest irgendwann nochmal ein Dojo, in dem du bessere Erfahrungen machen kannst und vielleicht sogar drauf kleben bleibst ;)
I'm not surprised. All you do is do kata and your only form of contact with other Iaido students is kata and smack talk. You don't have to spar, so you don't have to -trust-. You never actually know who is better through competition, all you have to compete with is your mouth. Very easy to become a cess pool that way.
Because the entire martial art is just a cult that preys on weak people. To even refer to it as a "martial" art is technically incorrect. The entire thing is a scham
Shogo, it's okay to show the true colors of Iaido. These people who you mentioned loss their value in the martial arts. I hope that in the future, Iaido will remain one of the best martial arts with a proper instructors who value Iaido as how they value their family. I also hope that you wouldn't have to quit Iaido even though you saw its true colors. Don't let their true colors stop you, Shogo. Keep on practicing and eventually, you can form your own Dojo where everyone will learn from you
As they said, "it's not because of the Martial Arts techniques that brought bad reputation to itself, but the people who *trained* and *insulting* they're own Martial Arts is the one that brought they're own demised".
I've practiced iaido for a few years, that was amazing. I didn't encounter the problems you did face. My instructor was serious when it comes to etiquette. Also, he was rather saying "I'm teaching you as I was taught, but you may hear other things from other instructors. It's always evolving, some things are still up to discussion". I guess I was lucky to be in France, where japanese martial arts are important, so my teacher learnt from Malcolm Tiki Shewan, who learnt from Nobuyoshi Tamura, and many classes regularly take place with these great teachers.
When you mentioned about your Iaido teacher talking about other teachers and the evolutionof the martial art, It reminds me of a quote from the animated series Avatar. "It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If you take from one place, it becomes rigid and stale" -Uncle Iroh.
I have had an instructor with a similar opinion, that things may be different with others but it is still valid. We have done different drawing procedures from other styles and learn differences between styles
Insulting others in the dojo or bad talking about senseis is horrible. There is all the talk of becoming a better person and than something like this happens, and it´s the same in Kendo. Really makes you wanna vomit. Edit: You are very brave to speak about this. This is the only thing one can do to change budo for the better. Thank you for doing so. ありがとうございます
If the instructors or other students are instructing in ridiculous things, they should expect criticism. Always deferring to seniors or authority figures is the worst aspect of dysfunctional group-think or encouraging idiotic cultish mentalities. Such as instructing people on the importance of ritually bowing to their weapon, or the asinine notion that the person with the "purist spiritual enlightenment" will be the best swordsman is just ludicrous time-wasting.
@@sejembalm As said in the video: Senseis used to share and discuss their different koryu, so constructive criticism should always be a part of budo. Talking crap about others on the other hand only shows your dysfunctions as a human being. Following reho shows that you respect the art, the dojo and everyone practicing together with you. If you think anything of this is related to becoming the best swordsman/fighter, it only shows your misunderstanding of budo.
It's all talk, more like bullcrap. I do respect someone who adheres to the morality they're talking about. But if they don't even keep their words and do what they said themselves, then why should we respect them?
I was a firearms instructor and ran into this kind of elitism. I took the approach of teaching all I could but you should ultimately do what works for you.
I just do it the Army taught me with one caveat. I use the BRAS method (Breath, Relax, Aim, Squeeze) except I do better holding my breath for a moment and adjusting my aim slightly then pulling the trigger. I know that's considered bad but, like you said, it works for me better then shooting on the exhale 🤷
One of the things I hated was the big macho type who said: "I've been around guns all my life, blah blah blah", because (I suppose) he feels it necessary due to his gender. This is a person who makes me think: "He's probably going to have to unlearn a lifetime's worth of bad habits."
I've been studying the Mugai Ryu Iai Hyodo Iaido for about 2.5 years in America, and I feel like I've been very lucky with my instructors and training, I haven't experienced any elitism or disregard of etiquette, and I'm very thankful for this.
I was happy to hear someone else having as positive an experience as I. I also study in America the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido and my Sensei speaks with unbridled enthusiasm on etiquette and the underlying philosophy behind it all very thoroughly. I am blessed by their passion for the art.
I am a Mugai student and I get criticized a lot for my lack of tradition but not really etiquette I come from an Iaijutsu family not exactly Iado I am a bit more Old school in style. I believe my family technically predates The separation between iaido and battodo. I think that my teacher gives me some grace because I teach as much as I learn When it comes to the grappling behind the cuts
I think that the lack of a means to prove skill is entirely the reason behind everything he said he hated in Iaido. Too many people allowed to run their mouths unchallenged and unable to be proven/disproven.
@@kevinthiago413 Boxing and wrestling are older than written language, and they compare very favourably to 19th and 20th century sports like karate, TKD, etc. A lot of individual arts were probably better before their modern iterations too. For example, comparing karate before and after it started adopting "competition-friendly" rules and a lot of fancy French kicks. And I'm pretty confident that old-timey killing-eachother-with-swords fencing was way better for killing eachother with swords than is modern Olympic fencing.
Respect is very important. I remember, while learning Kendo as a beginner, I was failing, falling while swinging my shinai in crutch position. My balance was horrible, and I felt I was playing the clown. After training, in the locker room, I asked one fo the advanced students "how dod you do it when you started?". His answer: "Pretty much the same you are doing right now". That token of respect made me feel better and become a better student. He could easily have said "you are terrible", but he did not.
I love how much Shogo expresses his mind! I’m not sure if it’s a consequence of living abroad for a while, but unlike the traditional Japanese mindset of keeping your real thoughts to yourself, Shogo is not afraid of saying what’s on his mind and calling out issues when he sees them. I’m from South East Asia, and the epidemic of “politeness” has been a hindrance to progress for far too long!
@@RealLifeZatoichi Not sure if sarcastic, but in case you are, “politeness” is something thrown around a lot here in Asia, but it’s an excuse people use to gain power. Want to leave work on time instead of do 4 hours unpaid overtime? You’re impolite to your coworkers. Want to not work forced labour for your uncle you barely know? You’re impolite to your uncle. Want basic human decency and to be treated like a student and not a braindead nuisance? You’re impolite to your teacher. Note that none of these examples actually have anything to do with politeness. It’s just the excuse the powerful throw around to oppress the weak.
@@btat16 Asia is not only East Asia and Southeast Asia. When the Greeks described Asia they meant Anatolia and the rest of West Asia before the term was extended in modern times.
About Kyudo: Let's take a moment to appreciate the simple brilliance of the rubber band mechanism used in the demonstration. Weapons training doesn't train the weapon- it trains the person, the intention. 10/10
Nice! Japanese police don’t want martial arts champions because they fight well. it’s important to understand Ogasawara Ryu etiquette… “It is fundamental the correct heart and mind to have the correct posture”… and every japanese martial art depends of the correct posture to the correctly application of the technique.
Shogo, your concerns of your training in Iaido reflect almost exactly why I left a local BJJ gym: 1: Mocking other styles and teachers 2: Pushing only competition 3: Mocking Traditional Values. This is toxic Dojo culture, that can poison an otherwise profound and enjoyable art, regardless of style. 👺Oss, please keep training Skill and Spirit.🥋
I think you find this sort of disdain for other martial arts in people who have never practiced anything other than what they teach. My bjj teacher had done judo, taekwondo, wrestling, and a few others and never has anything bad to say about any other martial art. Granted, he's only one example, but disdain often springs from ignorance, and if you've never practiced anything other than one martial art, you can't truly appreciate the virtues of others.
@@Robin-L_Hood Breath, its okay. It was a joke. Not laughing at you, but at Joe Rogan. He makes it seem that their is never an issues when training BJJ (or stand up comedy... and drugs).
I’ve been practicing Kyudo for a few months now, and I have to say it is one of the most significant changes that I’ve incurred in recent years. Prior to this, I’d always been involved in more brutal practices like Muay Thai and MMA. Everything you said about Kyudo I’ve experienced: the respect, the reverence for one another and the art (my sensei doesn’t even like to be called sensei, because he says we’re all students of the art), and the most important concept; letting go of ego. The whole of the procedure revolves around centering yourself and your Yumi, not hitting the target. If you are centered, then your Ya will find the target.
Oh gosh, this one hit me hard. I practiced Iaido for many years and become the only woman in my doujo. I know I may sound like I'm complaining, but I got extremely lonely at times as the only woman and my Sensei and some of my other Senpai truly did not understand why. I also got hit on a lot by some of the guys when I just wanted to practice. I also felt the constant need to prove myself as the only woman. I practiced a style that is all but dying out in Japan and it became extremely esoteric and a closed community. While I truly miss the beauty of the art and some wonder aspects of it, I just feel like the style I practiced wanted to grown and change. It is a shame as I feel like I failed for quitting as I spent so much of my life devoted to this art.
I'm sorry to hear that you felt lonely, I can't understand how your sensei or classmates didn't understand something as basic as that. No empathy, I am really sorry, maybe it was for the better, maybe you will find somewhere nicer? Sending you a hug!
That makes me sad to hear. I feel very fortunate that I have several women as enthusiastic students currently. I'm always trying to keep an awareness that all feel comfortable in the dojo.
I appreciate your Honesty, Ego has no place in or out of the Dojo. I have myself in the US. run into the same issues. As "Master" they should be learning from each other and collaborating for the betterment of the student for a common goal... Arigatōgozaimashita
This sounds a lot like the culture that develops in other arts that are not actually that practical. Students and instructors spend a lot of energy convincing themselves that they could win any fight, even when they've never actually been in one 🙄
My parents signed me up for classes at a McDojo when I was in elementary school. Even at the age of eight, I could tell how ridiculously impractical most of what we were learning actually was.
It is sad for me to say that all systems of Martial Arts have very similar problems. If more students shared you feelings, the Martial Arts would flourish. However, ego consumes most practitioner.
In the olden days, trainees would go from dojo to dojo to deepen their skills. Iaido is still very far removed from real fighting scenarios. I think this insularity goes back to the old clan system.
I'm a judoka, and my experience in twelve years of training in judo has been very positive. That being said, I have seen some of what you're talking about. While there hasn't been much insulting other judo instructors, I have heard others ( at a tournament, not my dojo) saying bad things about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of all things. It's sad.
Id argue the problem with that more so comes from the fact that schools worry about points and the sport more when it originally was for the self as well as defense to fight back. So people who teach it for self defense look down on point grabbers y'know?
that brazilian jyuhitsu IS A TRIP ! i got a few once every couple of weekend clases. by an actual member of tbe Gracie family! one day... he cancelled class: he was gonna videotape the class -- but someone beat the crap out of him and he did not want to record bruises on his face : ) : ) !
Very interesting to hear about this side of the Iaido world. I practiced Iaido about 15 years ago, and the first thing the senseis told us about training is that we're fighting our 'bad' sides when we do the katas, making it a more spiritual training. And me myself liked that idea of it, as a form of meditation to combat your own negative emotions or sides of yourself you didn't like.
This, I think, is where the idea of "virtual enemy" that Shogo talks about comes from. But the way YOU put it, that is what I believe such a concept should be like.
13:31 in this condition the best martial art is Kendo, because if you just swing the sword around your body, you will never learn how to really fight. If you train in Battodo it will also not help you much. The reason is that if you just cut the mats, which are an object, so they won't strike back. A person will strike back for sure, because they are a living thing. That's why Kendo is the best, because you're FIGHTING someONE instead of ONLY STRIKING someTHING. The problem with Kendo is that it's more of a sport, instead of a martial art.
"They made it a taboo to learn other styles of thinking"
This is a concern in many things in life. Calling this out is important. Very wise words.
It goes to show you have high standards for your Iaido training. It's great to see someone geninuely interested in Iado to that level. You're exactly the kind of person we need to keep these beautiful traditions alive, so I sincerely thank you for shedding light on the matter.
This video truly has a lot of value.
A wise warrior once said. "Never train alone. You will only engrain your errors". Refusing to learn and grow even when you consider yourself a master, is just foolish and silly.
Was that Vesemir the Witcher?
@@jayteegamble You nailed it.
Wow
Just about every teacher of value learning from says as much. Usually it goes as some form of proverb like someone who fights in the dark forgets to shine and so on.
You absolute king. Love Vesemir such a wise old wolf
I'm greatful for my Sensei and my Dojo. I have experienced nothing less than the best quality and character from all of my teachers and peers. I have never experienced what is being discussed here. Our Judan Sensei from Japan upholds our values and his character is a model that we all strive to emulate. My Sensei here in the US is the very definition of the person I want to develop myself into. I grieve this man's unfortunate experience and I hope he finds a dojo of quality.
"Do you think you'll be able to win with that?" is a completely laughable comment for any Iaidoka to make.
There's a time and a place for Iaido. It's a beautiful art (emphasis on art there) and it teaches great discipline and self awareness.
However, should an Iaidoka turn up for sparring against a Kendoka, or even worse a western fencer or HEMA practitioner, they will be absolutely destroyed in short order.
The reason is simply that Iaido doesn't teach you to fight. Even if you can execute your techniques perfectly in a kata, it means nothing if you can't read your opponent, react quickly enough and have no understanding or experience of how to apply techniques in a real fight.
Real fighting is chaotic, unpredictable and doesn't follow the rigid patterns that you've carefully trained into your muscle memory with kata.
So this kind of arrogance is absurd.
A wise Iaidoka would understand the nature of his art and take a more enlightened, dignified and respectful perspective when contemplating other styles.
The fact that Shogo appears to understand this is a credit to him.
An Iaidoka is not limited to practicing only Iaido. I remember a story/legend that someone once asked Nakakura Kyoshi who he thought would win, a Kendoka or a Western fencer. Nakakura replied that if he was the Kendoka then the Kendoka would win, but if he was the fencer then the fencer would win :)
I think it’s not only applicable to Iaido but any other martial art that is purely for hobbyist and the coach treats it that way. The training intensity makes a massive difference. The guys who practice maybe once or twice a week compared to those people who are on the Olympic team just as a general standard for athleticism is insane... In an actual sword fight I would probably even give it to an Olympic figure skater with only a few months training just because they have a much better gas tank/ Stamina, endurance than a Iaido hobbyist.
Iaido is like Taichi a kind of meditation in motion, to fight it is better to learn Kenjutsu, and sometimes it is not traditional Iaido what people learns, it is Seitei Iai modern version it is more like a sport in contest, Battojutsu or Iaijutsu is more for combat too
Agreed. The problem that I've seen along the years practicing Japanese martial arts is that many times the masters/instructors aren't humble enough to realize that a simple butcher is a more skilled (or even skillful) than them. Art is... purely ...art at all.
@@eliomarcosta5752
Heck I wouldn’t limit that comment to just Japanese arts. I’ve seen it extending to all martial arts and even firearm training, like some others have alluded in the comments.
I think it’s okay that there are martial arts not used for combat, there is value to them. How does combat suddenly make things more important? This is coming from someone who lost most of their eyesight doing lots of combat heavy MMA training.
I used to think anything not combat related was useless, but there is more to life than killing each other I’ve learned. I think both types of arts are important now for their own reasons.
My interest in Iaido is simple but honest. My grandfather was Japanese and so it’s a way of connecting with the Japanese culture and my lineage. It’s also a way to familiarize myself with a sword. Finally a meditative form I can utilize to calm my busy mind while learning a new skill.
As someone who used to tutor I can relate. Although, the "backbiting" was mostly because they wanted my clients so it was more of a short-term thinking business decision. And yes, it does hurt them far more in the long run.
In our kendo/iaido dojo in Poland we started to stray a bit from the pure Zen Ken Ren forms. We started to add reality checks, by simulating the situations from the presented katas in "combat sitiations". I think it is a bit on my behalf, since I also practice HEMA and proposed this idea to my sensei. To be honest, you can learn a lot from adding a bit of speed to the forms, with a second person trying to attack you (bokken or foam sword). I know it is not "pure", but I am really grateful to have this opportunity and an open-minded sensei.
To be able to try out what we learned is very satisfying, and puts this wonderful budo art closer to Kyudo.
In general, what were the results of the testing? Was there validation?
As someone's who's trained with different schools and taught some, what is can say is that there is no inherent depth or spirituality to any fighting style. That is something the student brings. It will center you, physically improve coordination, strengthen the body but when most of start we think there's something inherently profound to the teaching. Bad instructors use that to their advantage. Good ones just encourage self exploration and give the tools for the student to do so.
This reminds me quite a bit on that scene from Rurouni Kenshin, where Kenshins teacher tells him that fundamentally all swords are tools made to kill and swordsmanship is learning how to kill. You can put some pretty words there and try to add some profound meaning to it, but this fact is something that always remains the same.
@@lop1652 well that's exactly it. It's a martial art, not ballet. Easy to teach the how. Harder to learn when and why.
"swords are made to kill, they're tools that are made to take as many lifes as possible."
-shimotsuki kozuburo
I found your channel a few days ago. Let me congrat you on how much I liked it. The way you talk politely, with property on what you are saying, it quite impresses me how you are a formal practicioner of so many traditional arts and find time and will to do so much studying and running a channel of this quality, while still being father of two children and married. You are badass. I bow to your knowledge and dedication. Congratulations from Brazil.
Love this video. I am an Iaido student in Michigan. Personally I am very fortunate I have never experienced any of the negative things in this video at my dojo. However my instructors have definitely talked about how they have experienced all of these back in their training days.
We have definitely created an environment of respect to each other, our swords and the art.
I love the quote: “Of course you all are right, because your virtual opponent will always lose to you…” - I am crying, that was such a smart quote against self-declared ‘msaters’
All of this points are constant in every martial art that has some kind of ritualistic manners. I've taught karate and went distant from so many instructors cause of the same ideas you exposed. I was even called less by one of my instructors in public because I valued more the "WHY" I could demonstrate instead of the "HOW" I could win a medal. I I very fond of someone showing evidence instead of just getting a mouthful of unproven theories. Sadly, and as a very experienced person said, "the more flashy and useless the exhibition, the more hands clapping you'll get". Keep speaking your mind on important stuff as long as you have the receipts, Shogo-san. A much appreciated video, and will share with my circle. Thanks a lot.
I've been training iaido for more than 23 years and I didn't encounter the thing you said in your video clip, I also practice kyudo for about three years now and I agree with you that there are common principles across iaido aikido kyudo judo karate, and probably more that I have not exposed to.
As a student of multiple martial arts, including another koryu kenjutsu tradition in addition to MJER, I train in all the various arts as medieval military training, with all that it implies. I would argue that training in the martial arts without preserving the combative intent that the arts were founded on is to be hollow out the arts themselves; its like taking driving lessons without ever having the intent of being able to drive a car.
I agreed. People back in the day passing their knowledge down to future generation would want to keep the combative intent alive along with the techniques either, it's literally why the japanese preserved these arts even after WW2 because their combative intent train both the mind and the body of the practitioners, even when we don't need to use them in our daily life.
Training a combat art without it, especially when there's no sparring, people would be better off learning yoga or weight lifting
As a fellow Kenjutsu trainee, I disagree. My dojo definitely upholds the martial intent of our art, to the point of incorporating modern insights into our style. And personally I probably enjoy getting to fight people the most out of all the things I do while training.
But still I see the appeal of just practicing martial arts as a form of meditation and a means of cultivating personal growth. In everyday civilian life it is extremely unlikely that you'll ever utilise your skills outside of the dojo or competitions. So for practical purposes it really doesn't matter whether the martial art is viable for combat or not (the obvious exception being schools that claim to prepare you to defend yourself but only teach you how to get yourself stabbed).
Combat as sport versus as war. People do often mistake the former for the latter, though, and that does end up with a lot of people needlessly hurt from applying sports techniques and mentalities to serious violence.
@@jonathanmarth6426 in the arts that I learn the meditative aspects are a means to an end, rather than an end in itself. It seems that people are now learning the martial arts for their side effects rather than their primary objective. I strive to approach a discipline in the manner that it was originally intended: I would study poetry in the way that a professional poet would study it; I study martial arts in the way that a historical martial artist would study it. That doesn't mean that I tend to fight to the death with a sword any more than I would give up my day job to be a professional poet.
I practiced Iaido for about 2-3 years in a small local dojo. Iaido was a side class separate from the main dojo, so it was not the focus of the dojo. It was a very small class (like me and 1-2 other students) and my instructor was awesome. She never had an ego about the style, as she herself was still learning from someone else. Surprisingly enough we actually did practice the etiquette rather extensively. I did compete in the weapons division of local and state tournaments for Iaido (always just kata), and have seen some of the things you mentioned first hand with other dojos. I am not bashing the other dojos but I could see the difference in how Iaido was taught. I know that this is merely an anecdotal story, but it is interesting just how relevant the points you brought up are. Good work!
I liked the honesty that you showed in this video about things that happen in martial arts. I had been in a kendo/iaido dojo for many years where I saw much of what you talk about. The instruction was excellent as were the students, but I always saw this undercurrent in the dojo politics. We were extremely insular and never had shiai with other groups. After a little more than a decade I became the senior student merely because everyone ahead of me left because of these issues. They all tried to warn me but I can be blinded by only seeing the good. I finally left because it caught up to me and the drama passed my ability to overlook it. I joined another kendo dojo and it has been very nice with no drama or personal stress. Unfortunately, I am still looking for an iaido group, but have been practicing on my own for a couple of years now. With kendo I am actually learning and improving again as I am surrounded by better students, who are rokudan and nanadan. So, everything happens for a reason.
Thanks for sharing. This happens in other martial arts as well, and it's all due to the senior instructors. Some tend to stray away from tradition over time while being motivated by money, popularity or something other than the art. As a student you have to stay focused or seek a more serious dojo.
You have hit the nail on the head, much respect to you. I have run into many of the same issues during my journey as well and I think Iaito needs more like minded practitioners.
Wonderfully open and honest video! I never studied Iaido, but I've been a lifelong practitioner of the Martial Arts. I started in a traditional Okinawan art, Isshin-ryu. I studied many other systems before finally residing in what I would consider a "true American" system that was built upon the study of many more traditional systems and the practical application of their original mechanics. It was focused on how physics and how the body works to fully understand where many traditional elements came from. Not so ironically, we ended up pursuing an approach that was very similar to Bruce Lee's approach to training.
After all this, I find that for a system to adapt and retain it's presence as a true martial system it needs to stay true to learning and change. Tradition at this point can only hinder, not help, a system to grow to full fruition. A warrior learns by doing, and adapting, and thus growing. While tradition provides structure early on, it ultimately hinders the warriors true growth.
Always love your videos and watching you as I find you a very down to earth and humble person. What you said about disregarding reiho etiquette blew away my mind. I live in a western country (Denmark) and you would never see this happening here where I practice. I cant even imagine it happening. My senseis/instructors are nothing but respectful/non-arrogant and down to earth people just like you are. I cant fathom how things have evolved into that in some japanese dojo's and I hope for you that you can get to influence and evolve Iaido into that wonderful (and logical) vision you have and to pass onto the future generations and safeguard the spirit of a martial art that I've become to deeply admire, respect and to love. Domo arigato gozaimashita.
This also happens in karate, where many say their style of karate is the best style, or the most effective, or the most traditional. However, what’s funny is that the Okinawan masters did not believe in different karate styles (there are quotes from masters like Miyagi-sensei and Funakoshi-sensei).
The reason for this is that the more styles you encounter and learn from, the more you can tailor your own skills to your best fighting style. Karate was like an early form of a mixed martial art, and I think the ability to take important components of many martial arts is what makes modern MMA an effective style for actual fighting and self defense.
It’s important for us to remember one of the principles of karate: “Karate begins and ends with Rei.”
Hi Shogo, I am a former budo practitioner of iaido and just leaving a comment on my opinion and experiences since you asked in this video @ 2:05.
For your three reasons, the first reason I don't really have a useful opinion on since I've only trained in one dojo during my entire training.
Your second reason, I have not experienced instructors insulting each other within the dojo.
And your last reason, we actually respect "reiho" etiquette in the dojo I trained in.
We also do tameshigiri to demonstrate our cutting.
I'm sorry to hear that you've experienced that within iaido. Maybe it's because I'm from a different country and there aren't many iaido schools here that I was lucky to get one that is closer to your philosophy and values.
For those who want to know what school I trained in, it is the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center (JCCC).
The reason I no longer train at the school is because I moved far away. But once you get the katas down, you can train at home.
I've practiced iaido for about 16 years will try to pass godan next year.
1: Does not happen often where I am since we have mostly znkr and Msr iai, and most follow same sensei, but still people have tendency to think similarly. One is better than the other and many disregard etiquette.
2: Happen not so much here but always are some tough people want to do it. I think it's a matter of maturity, skilled and confident sensei need not to do this.
3: Reiho is important but I never heard anyone disregarding it as you describe. We try to do it properly and focus on only doing iaido when we do iaido. Over all to me that focus is what we're cultivating and that makes iaido useful in every day life, a way of doing mindfulness. Kyudo has more zanshin but iaido require the same focus, but Kyudo has the benefit och being iai and tsmeshigiri all in one when real arrow is used. I think iaido and jodo has also good things to learn as it gives a target and sense of distance that we lack in iai.
Hope this fine video finds "light" [Truth] and "weight" ['Makes a change'] in young and old Iaido practitioners, and for the Federation to look deep inside it's own soul and grou up from this situation.
Regards from Tabasco, México [Land of The Olmecs]!
there's Medieval Tournament Fighting in Europe we can take note from. The participants will wear full medieval armors holding bunt steel weapons which is quite safe. Maybe, if we set a duel match wearing full Samurai armor holding iaito, that should be the start of practicing iaido in combat. It needs to improve itself to the point that it can be useful in military.
my martial arts master always thought us that everything we practice in training ground should be apply even when not in training, example avoid talking ill or slur, handle utensils, paperwork etc like you handle a weapon much careful and mindful. And like old samurai or in bushido practice to perfection, literally in anything work, school, walk and even talk. That's how martial artist are respected due to our training of extreme discipline.
Great point explaining in the end that you've met also good instructors, even if almost the entirety of the social and practical aspects of it are corrupt there are a few beams of goodness. That helps on not creating hate mobs while still informing the nasties
17 year veteran of the Martial Arts here:
-Karate
•Shotokan
•Goju
•Shorin-Ryu
-Wing Chun
-Kobudo
-Seitei Iaido/Jodo
Sadly, you're critique of Iaido is not uncommon across the Martial Arts as a whole, I've met my fair share of students and Instructors with an abhorrent disregard for etiquette, discipline, humility, respect and so on. That said, my current Instructors in my respective Arts I trust and respect absolutely. Being in Australia we don't have easy access to training with our Japanese Masters, so we do our best to adhere to the written teachings and video recordings we have available. In this way we hope to respect and adhere to the Japanese standards as best we can.
I love watching your videos! You are helping others to understand Japanese way of life, thank you, and bless you, and your family!!!
I was waching this video with a big interest. Wow, it's so honest and realistique. Thank you Shogo !
Man, I wish I had the time and availability to take up Iaido! I was a Karateka for much of my youth, and the perceived discipline of my Senseis only declined as I moved from dojo to dojo. I had a wonderful Shotokan Sensei in my largely Wado Ryu dojo that I started in, and he was respect and discipline personified. The head Sensei of my first dojo was also wonderful, and these two men forged so much of my young framework, making up for a lack of worthy father figure at home in some ways. As I moved cities and enrolled in other dojos to stay sharp, I truly began to appreciate the instruction of my initial dojo as more and more I saw the art slipping into a jock culture or exercise routine among sensei and practitioners. I was always more into it for personal improvement and self defense than any kind of competitive, outward focus, reveling in Kata, and I would love, LOVE to study an art that is revered as Iaido ideally should be, expressed through Kata. By the time I put Karate down due to time constraints, the dojo I was in was a boys club of lax discipline and a focus on beating other dojos in kumite. I mean, testing yourself against others is important, but all sense of reverence and personal bettering on a non-physical level was just gone. As a scottish/french guy from Canada, I related so strongly to everything you said in this video, Shogo! Thank you so much!
Mad respect to your Kyuudo practitioner friend with the mask and the rubber band.
Adapting the old into the new, while keeping the soul of the old.
I was genuinely a dumbass and thought "Wait what did Iaido do? What drama did he get into?"
I didn't realise until 10 seconds in that Iaido is a style of training in a Dojo, and I forgot Shogo was the OP's name...
Totally agree with all of your points.
If I may, I truly believe that a Sensei should show respect to his students too...on how he speaks (especially if corrections on kata are involved) to them in front of everybody without embarrassing the student by saying "I don't know where you learned that..." or "I never taught you that..." wherein the student actually learned the incorrect ways from him, the Sensei who's correcting him. I've always known that part of Iaido and Kenjutsu is cultivating humility, not to be equated with cowardice or a "yes" person all the time. Unfortunately, I got kicked out from kenjutsu, after 10 years of hard work, for speaking up.
14:00 I would suggest a forth one, accepting humility by approving of proofing their skills through mat cutting.
Even as a non traditionalist I find your commentary Excellent and well thought out
And that's why i like kenjutsu a lot more. Reason is simple - there is less of those situation. If two senseis are in disagree they can do what iaido practicioners cannot witch is take your bokkens, put up protection gear go to confront themselves. I whitnessed this once and whole duel was proceded just after very polite and constructive discussion about what style is superior and ended with conclusion that both are efective if used in the right way.
Or my suggestion is to have set of bokkens and pads on hand in every iaido dojo. If there is ill talking - let them go have it out. Winner is the one with less bruising :D
I’m so lucky my sempai never acts in the way that’s discussed . We don’t have a Sensei because we live on a small island and the sense is live on the peninsula . But my sempais manner of behaviour is really honourable and he’s so young !
Since I know for myself I do Japanese Arts since childhood by "sacrifice" to other sports :) no regrets at all. For that time I have seen it almost all and by time opening m own Dojo in Macedonia and following the Path I am really happy that I have disolved all if those abnormalities by putting on first place the spirit and soul of Japanese Arts. "Cutting" the vanity Ego first :) Shogo San, your remarks just proving my evidence in which I thank you.
* Who is fearing of his knowledge always atacks first. ;)
As a previous karate trainee, i hated the idea that all trainee must do kumite. I went to the dojo for kihon, technique and kata. I never had the ambitions to train for fighting. It ended with I quit training karate.
This permeates all martial arts from what I can tell, and i've practiced TaeKwonDo, HapKiDo, Muay Thai, and Brazilian JiuJitsu. I find the most respectful people in the community are those who have actually tested their skills and fought. It tends to humble people. I'm looking to get into a sword based martial art soon... but I really just can't find anything based on manuscripts or historical evidence for training. It's all pretty modernized, and I wanted to do something with a lot of history behind it, so that's kind of disappointing. Any suggestions from the people in the comments?
Your goal is 1m Subs by January 2023? You already reached it. Congrats! Also respect your bravery for opening up these issues. I know how hard it can be.
Amazing video! Wonderful presentation of your experience and opinions and suggestions for change!!!!
it means fans of a samurai fighting game that take many elements of Iaido can actually become better spiritual players like Kyudo's archers, where the master not only won 1st place in many tournaments but also able to beat the enemy in the hardest difficulty level without any damage from the 1st stage to the final stage ...to think about it, some part of this gaming skill are practical in real life (to earn money reward in a fighting game tournament), and at least bringing gaming console in public is not banned
Wow some people in Iaido are seriously lacking integrity! I saw a bit of this myself not so long ago. That's such a shame. In the martial art I trained for a long time, if there was any funny business from anyone, they would be kicked out of the doors so fast they would be unable to bow on the way out! However you would make a great instructor and I hope that there are more like you that can improve the atmosphere for the younger generations.
I trained in karate for many years. Here u must prove yourself at every step from the very beginning. Disrespect is never tolerated
That was a really cool video and an even cooler martial art. I always find that people that don't have a falsifiable way of measuring their skills, always have some ego or bad mouthing behaviours. It's annoying and feel you. I want to learn this one day but there are just too many practices. Thanks for the video.
I enjoyed your video...I will make a response video as I have been practicing iaido for the past 17yrs and have just started with Kyudo.
When I studied Iaido, I found a great deal of benefit, for muscle memory, discipline, and patience, and most of all the union of mind and body in the techniques being practiced.
Shooting begins and ends with rei. "Shawa, rei ni hajimatte, rei ni owaru".
The goal of kyudo is not to hit the target but to hit the self.
The only thing we try to kill with the takeyumi is the ego.
"Instructors insist that their theory is absolute
" and "Instructors insult each other inside the dojo" are the same issues I have with North America Art Schools. I lean 20 different ways to draw the same head.
There are classical forms of Japanese Jujitsu that involves weapon training including swords (Kendo, Iaido, kenjutsu, bojutsu, jojutsu, judo, etc). You may want to try them out
Yes, we also do the bowing to gym, bow to the instructor, bow to opponents, and the katana/bokken, as well as the traditional walking techniques as if you're wearing full armour.
People needs to think about the truly goal of iaido... It's not about fighting or doing perfect tameshigiri, it's about improving yourself as a person by learning the use of a particular style of katana fencing...
Katas may teach you several cuts, ways to draw the sword, chiburis and notos but what they are really teaching you are things for life THAT CAN BE DIFFERENT FOR EVERY PERSON, everyone is on their own path and has to polish themselves in their own way...
I practice iaijutsu in MJER (if you get it you get it) for 13 years more or less... And the more I practice the more I reflect about this and the more I perceive the difficulty of iaido and the long way ahead of me...
Also, if you practice Seitei for too long it's okay but, what about trying some koryu? Maybe you can find there what you are looking for...
Well, I tend to agree with your theory. Thats why i like HEMA [ Historical European Martial Arts] myself. I really appreciate deep explanation of your reasoning. Well done.
For me, one thing that makes me avoid certain martial arts and prefer others is that I don't like it if too much focus is put on competition, tournaments, and being better than other people. I don't train martial arts to be better than other people. I train, to be better than myself of yesterday.
I'd really love to see a video on seppuku.
Main problem with katas, and fighting a non resistant apponent or imaginary apponent is inflation of ego and own ability. It seems like Iado practitioner should train kendo or like historical European material arts as part of their practice, otherwise it is like learning to elegantly laying down a arrow on the bow but never learning how to shoot.
Hi, Shogo. Love your videos.
A Quick question 🙇🏻
are you training also a Ryuha? Wish one?
We have something very similar here in the USA!
But instead of a sword we have the AR, and instead of a dojo we train and practice the art at the range.
I my self am a student of 308win and we insult each other also, their are many other styles 223 , 280,30-06, 300mag and many more. Each one thinks theirs is the most effective.
The thing about teaching any kind of technique, without practical experience, is that it is all basically hypothetical. In this day and age, no one actually uses a katana in 'practical' combat scenarios, therefore honestly anything ANY instructor says is purely opinionated. The best way I can put this is, if you don't "Live and die by the sword" then any input you have is only conjecture. I appreciate the Katana, and what it represents, specifics of how it is used is based solely on results, not necessarily the convictions behind it. Any insults being hurled from one instructor to another are just biased, as they have no legitimate grounds for any insults, it is PURELY based on their own perception of the art form, they have no PRACTICAL experience with it.
It is important for a sword practitioner to study iado, kendo and kenjutsu, to have a broad understanding
This is the same reason(s) I Box instead of doing Karate. Karate is still very nice though. Tremendous for building character!
So much unnecessary confusion and needless argument.
Jitsu = combat
Sports = competition (non-lethal)
Do = personal development and refinement
Jitsu = show me the head of your enemy
Sports = show me your trophy
Do = show me the content of your character
Just choose the one(s) you want. Let others do the same. Save your criticism for yourself and strive sincerely (makoto) to bring forth your most skilled ‘self’.
Iaido has changed a lot during the last 50 years. It has evolved to become less accident prone and thus less lethal. Many old fashioned Iaido schools still teach combat skills with wooden swords and synchronized duel with real katana, although only at higher levels (3rd dan and above).
I teach hema (western medieval swordsman). If you would be interested, we could talk about swordsmanship practice.
Very interesting and thoughtful insight into the world of Iaido. I have been thinking about learning it. But now I am wondering what form of martial would teach me best of both fighting and spirituality ? If I want to learn sword skills and also practice it to better myself what should I learn ? I don't want to learn to use Katana without learning how to actually fight with it. Kinds of feels like waste to me.
As an iaido practicioner since 1988 I've been looking more and more towards battodo or even battojutsu.
The best thing I've done is sparring with shinai against a human.
In my opinion, Iaido is supposed to be a sport for the body and mind, it is supposed to encourage the Iaidoka to learn and grow by learning more and more katas, thus expanding his or her view on the martial art, and life.
If a sensei or master cannot comprehend this, he is no master but a fool.
Hey Shogo, could you make a video showing the historical flags of Japan and talk about their meaning?
I was actually really surprised to hear that such things occur within the Iaido community. Ive been practicing HEMA for sometime now, and honestly couldn't imagine hearing that level of disrespect between instructors.
At least for myself and the instructors that I have, the principals are generally the same, its about training the body and mind, and discipline. How can a student achieve those goals if the instructors cant even trust each other, or respect their own art?
I truly hop that as more become aware of this that something can be done to rectify it, would be a real shame if these teachings, and the art are allowed to die off over such things.
I have gone through a similar experience to the bad mouthing of other styles or Sensei's at an Iaido seminar. I wish there was more respect for different styles of Iaido within Iaido itself.
Well, let's make a VR swordfighting simulation when you battle an unpredictable enemy swordsman, like Elden Ring but way more extreme
This is so true. I’ve been training budo for 26 years, and I’m very sorry to say that the lack of respect is very common on the tatami.I practice Aikibudo and Tenshin Shoden katori Shinto Ryu. There are so many people who do not belong in a dojo. Domo arigota gozamasu Mr. Shogo.
Very well said… You will make a great leader for others to follow.
I really enjoy your content . Thank you 🙏🏽
Been practicing Iaido for 10+ years, came from kenjutsu, and am doing kendo in parallel. The most disappointing aspect for me is most instructors’ glaring lack of anything resembling combat, or even tameshigiri, experience. Modern Iaido is sort of like Tai Chi, if you know what I mean.
Hi ! to share with you my experience, i think you are more than lucky to be in Japan ( and be Japanese ) because all of your culture , traditions, including martial art and else, are unique, precious, and way beyond the western world . In that case, i trian alone, by myslef wiht a bokken since 7 years and now 2 years with a Katana . i have no one to show me, no one to teach me, to share, i am all alone, . So, even tho you may bot like some of your practices, i think you are way beyond lukcy to be in Japan, and be able to practice and honor your great country and it's huge heritage :)
In the United States, insulting ones martial teacher is a grave offence. It spans the martial arts. Even in high school wrestling, if you insult a grapplers coach, things get personal very quickly.
about the first point i like the way people approach it in hema
manuscrypts are like recipies they point you towards a direcrion but everyone has their own mixture of perfection
Being a historical martial arts enthusiast from Germany i had been trying out Iaido in my area too and the toxic environment u described was so in point for the schools here... that's why i never picked it up as an actual student.
it's kind of sad, because i realy enjoyed the historical and trditional background of it.
Wenn ich das alles so lese, bin ich echt froh, dass es bei uns nicht so zugeht! Tut mir leid, dass du so schlechte Erfahrungen gemacht hast, Iaido kann wirklich sehr faszinierend sein, vor allem vor dem historischen Hintergrund.
Ich hoffe, du findest irgendwann nochmal ein Dojo, in dem du bessere Erfahrungen machen kannst und vielleicht sogar drauf kleben bleibst ;)
I'm not surprised. All you do is do kata and your only form of contact with other Iaido students is kata and smack talk.
You don't have to spar, so you don't have to -trust-.
You never actually know who is better through competition, all you have to compete with is your mouth.
Very easy to become a cess pool that way.
Because the entire martial art is just a cult that preys on weak people. To even refer to it as a "martial" art is technically incorrect. The entire thing is a scham
quit lyin 🤣
Darf ich fragen welches Bundesland? Denn bei mir in Brandenburg geht es nicht so zu.
Shogo, it's okay to show the true colors of Iaido. These people who you mentioned loss their value in the martial arts. I hope that in the future, Iaido will remain one of the best martial arts with a proper instructors who value Iaido as how they value their family. I also hope that you wouldn't have to quit Iaido even though you saw its true colors. Don't let their true colors stop you, Shogo. Keep on practicing and eventually, you can form your own Dojo where everyone will learn from you
As they said, "it's not because of the Martial Arts techniques that brought bad reputation to itself, but the people who *trained* and *insulting* they're own Martial Arts is the one that brought they're own demised".
I've practiced iaido for a few years, that was amazing. I didn't encounter the problems you did face. My instructor was serious when it comes to etiquette. Also, he was rather saying "I'm teaching you as I was taught, but you may hear other things from other instructors. It's always evolving, some things are still up to discussion". I guess I was lucky to be in France, where japanese martial arts are important, so my teacher learnt from Malcolm Tiki Shewan, who learnt from Nobuyoshi Tamura, and many classes regularly take place with these great teachers.
When you mentioned about your Iaido teacher talking about other teachers and the evolutionof the martial art, It reminds me of a quote from the animated series Avatar. "It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If you take from one place, it becomes rigid and stale" -Uncle Iroh.
It's the same for me in Germany. I am happy that it's taken seriously in my Dojo.
I have had an instructor with a similar opinion, that things may be different with others but it is still valid. We have done different drawing procedures from other styles and learn differences between styles
Insulting others in the dojo or bad talking about senseis is horrible. There is all the talk of becoming a better person and than something like this happens, and it´s the same in Kendo. Really makes you wanna vomit. Edit: You are very brave to speak about this. This is the only thing one can do to change budo for the better. Thank you for doing so. ありがとうございます
If the instructors or other students are instructing in ridiculous things, they should expect criticism. Always deferring to seniors or authority figures is the worst aspect of dysfunctional group-think or encouraging idiotic cultish mentalities.
Such as instructing people on the importance of ritually bowing to their weapon, or the asinine notion that the person with the "purist spiritual enlightenment" will be the best swordsman is just ludicrous time-wasting.
@@sejembalm As said in the video: Senseis used to share and discuss their different koryu, so constructive criticism should always be a part of budo. Talking crap about others on the other hand only shows your dysfunctions as a human being. Following reho shows that you respect the art, the dojo and everyone practicing together with you. If you think anything of this is related to becoming the best swordsman/fighter, it only shows your misunderstanding of budo.
@@sejembalm you seem to misunderstand Iaido completely.
This is not about becoming a swordsman at all.
maybe you should try MMA
@@sejembalm You completely miss the point of training Iaido. It is not about becoming the best swordman at all.
It's all talk, more like bullcrap. I do respect someone who adheres to the morality they're talking about. But if they don't even keep their words and do what they said themselves, then why should we respect them?
I was a firearms instructor and ran into this kind of elitism. I took the approach of teaching all I could but you should ultimately do what works for you.
In America?
I just do it the Army taught me with one caveat. I use the BRAS method (Breath, Relax, Aim, Squeeze) except I do better holding my breath for a moment and adjusting my aim slightly then pulling the trigger. I know that's considered bad but, like you said, it works for me better then shooting on the exhale 🤷
One of the things I hated was the big macho type who said: "I've been around guns all my life, blah blah blah", because (I suppose) he feels it necessary due to his gender. This is a person who makes me think: "He's probably going to have to unlearn a lifetime's worth of bad habits."
@@ColonelMarcellus ok
@@darkhorse13golfgaming i was always taught to shoot with the lungs half emptied. Breathe in, exhale half , squeeze when ready.
I've been studying the Mugai Ryu Iai Hyodo Iaido for about 2.5 years in America, and I feel like I've been very lucky with my instructors and training, I haven't experienced any elitism or disregard of etiquette, and I'm very thankful for this.
Nice, I study this as well, in Canada, under Ryusuke Juge Sensei, who is a student of Yoshitaro Nakatani. Who do you study with?
I was happy to hear someone else having as positive an experience as I. I also study in America the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido and my Sensei speaks with unbridled enthusiasm on etiquette and the underlying philosophy behind it all very thoroughly. I am blessed by their passion for the art.
I am a Mugai student and I get criticized a lot for my lack of tradition but not really etiquette I come from an Iaijutsu family not exactly Iado I am a bit more Old school in style. I believe my family technically predates The separation between iaido and battodo. I think that my teacher gives me some grace because I teach as much as I learn When it comes to the grappling behind the cuts
I love how you point out why some instructers are against tameshigiri because performing tameshigiri would show their actual lack of skill.
I think that the lack of a means to prove skill is entirely the reason behind everything he said he hated in Iaido. Too many people allowed to run their mouths unchallenged and unable to be proven/disproven.
When you are truly confident your not afraid to be tested.
just like karate "masters" refuse to fight with MMA fighters, the older the martial art, the less effective in modern combat
@@kevinthiago413 Untrue.
@@kevinthiago413
Boxing and wrestling are older than written language, and they compare very favourably to 19th and 20th century sports like karate, TKD, etc.
A lot of individual arts were probably better before their modern iterations too. For example, comparing karate before and after it started adopting "competition-friendly" rules and a lot of fancy French kicks. And I'm pretty confident that old-timey killing-eachother-with-swords fencing was way better for killing eachother with swords than is modern Olympic fencing.
Respect is very important. I remember, while learning Kendo as a beginner, I was failing, falling while swinging my shinai in crutch position. My balance was horrible, and I felt I was playing the clown.
After training, in the locker room, I asked one fo the advanced students "how dod you do it when you started?". His answer: "Pretty much the same you are doing right now". That token of respect made me feel better and become a better student. He could easily have said "you are terrible", but he did not.
I love how much Shogo expresses his mind! I’m not sure if it’s a consequence of living abroad for a while, but unlike the traditional Japanese mindset of keeping your real thoughts to yourself, Shogo is not afraid of saying what’s on his mind and calling out issues when he sees them. I’m from South East Asia, and the epidemic of “politeness” has been a hindrance to progress for far too long!
Yap yap i would not mind if he were to become the president of our country but thaaats a stretch, just a metaphor
I suppose not criticizing abusive parents is also an epidemic as well.It's really bad.
D'OH GOD, Yes politeness is hindering a lot of things in our country. I wish we had a few more sword style schools here in America
@@RealLifeZatoichi Not sure if sarcastic, but in case you are, “politeness” is something thrown around a lot here in Asia, but it’s an excuse people use to gain power. Want to leave work on time instead of do 4 hours unpaid overtime? You’re impolite to your coworkers. Want to not work forced labour for your uncle you barely know? You’re impolite to your uncle. Want basic human decency and to be treated like a student and not a braindead nuisance? You’re impolite to your teacher.
Note that none of these examples actually have anything to do with politeness. It’s just the excuse the powerful throw around to oppress the weak.
@@btat16 Asia is not only East Asia and Southeast Asia. When the Greeks described Asia they meant Anatolia and the rest of West Asia before the term was extended in modern times.
About Kyudo: Let's take a moment to appreciate the simple brilliance of the rubber band mechanism used in the demonstration. Weapons training doesn't train the weapon- it trains the person, the intention. 10/10
Nice! Japanese police don’t want martial arts champions because they fight well. it’s important to understand Ogasawara Ryu etiquette… “It is fundamental the correct heart and mind to have the correct posture”… and every japanese martial art depends of the correct posture to the correctly application of the technique.
Shogo, your concerns of your training in Iaido reflect almost exactly why I left a local BJJ gym: 1: Mocking other styles and teachers 2: Pushing only competition 3: Mocking Traditional Values. This is toxic Dojo culture, that can poison an otherwise profound and enjoyable art, regardless of style. 👺Oss, please keep training Skill and Spirit.🥋
Happens exactly to me with Karate Dojos XD toxic culture is widespread unfortunately T.T
That is not how Joe Rogan portrays BJJ. I thought it was all about love, letting out tension, being a man and tripping on 'shrooms.
I think you find this sort of disdain for other martial arts in people who have never practiced anything other than what they teach. My bjj teacher had done judo, taekwondo, wrestling, and a few others and never has anything bad to say about any other martial art. Granted, he's only one example, but disdain often springs from ignorance, and if you've never practiced anything other than one martial art, you can't truly appreciate the virtues of others.
@@Robin-L_Hood Breath, its okay. It was a joke. Not laughing at you, but at Joe Rogan. He makes it seem that their is never an issues when training BJJ (or stand up comedy... and drugs).
Sounds like a Mc Dojo, the ones I have been focus in self-defense and technique after all I don't want a medal I want to survive
I’ve been practicing Kyudo for a few months now, and I have to say it is one of the most significant changes that I’ve incurred in recent years. Prior to this, I’d always been involved in more brutal practices like Muay Thai and MMA. Everything you said about Kyudo I’ve experienced: the respect, the reverence for one another and the art (my sensei doesn’t even like to be called sensei, because he says we’re all students of the art), and the most important concept; letting go of ego. The whole of the procedure revolves around centering yourself and your Yumi, not hitting the target. If you are centered, then your Ya will find the target.
Oh gosh, this one hit me hard. I practiced Iaido for many years and become the only woman in my doujo. I know I may sound like I'm complaining, but I got extremely lonely at times as the only woman and my Sensei and some of my other Senpai truly did not understand why. I also got hit on a lot by some of the guys when I just wanted to practice. I also felt the constant need to prove myself as the only woman. I practiced a style that is all but dying out in Japan and it became extremely esoteric and a closed community. While I truly miss the beauty of the art and some wonder aspects of it, I just feel like the style I practiced wanted to grown and change. It is a shame as I feel like I failed for quitting as I spent so much of my life devoted to this art.
I'm sorry to hear that you felt lonely, I can't understand how your sensei or classmates didn't understand something as basic as that. No empathy, I am really sorry, maybe it was for the better, maybe you will find somewhere nicer? Sending you a hug!
That makes me sad to hear. I feel very fortunate that I have several women as enthusiastic students currently. I'm always trying to keep an awareness that all feel comfortable in the dojo.
I appreciate your Honesty, Ego has no place in or out of the Dojo. I have myself in the US. run into the same issues. As "Master" they should be learning from each other and collaborating for the betterment of the student for a common goal... Arigatōgozaimashita
This sounds a lot like the culture that develops in other arts that are not actually that practical. Students and instructors spend a lot of energy convincing themselves that they could win any fight, even when they've never actually been in one 🙄
word
My parents signed me up for classes at a McDojo when I was in elementary school. Even at the age of eight, I could tell how ridiculously impractical most of what we were learning actually was.
@@Macrochenia been there.
It is sad for me to say that all systems of Martial Arts have very similar problems. If more students shared you feelings, the Martial Arts would flourish. However, ego consumes most practitioner.
Sir, You are Spot-on correct there. ... very well stated.
In the olden days, trainees would go from dojo to dojo to deepen their skills. Iaido is still very far removed from real fighting scenarios. I think this insularity goes back to the old clan system.
I'm a judoka, and my experience in twelve years of training in judo has been very positive. That being said, I have seen some of what you're talking about. While there hasn't been much insulting other judo instructors, I have heard others ( at a tournament, not my dojo) saying bad things about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of all things. It's sad.
That's like insulting your own kids.
Id argue the problem with that more so comes from the fact that schools worry about points and the sport more when it originally was for the self as well as defense to fight back. So people who teach it for self defense look down on point grabbers y'know?
I'm sure the Gracies would just hear that and laugh
that brazilian jyuhitsu IS A TRIP ! i got a few once every couple of weekend clases. by an actual member of tbe Gracie family! one day... he cancelled class: he was gonna videotape the class -- but someone beat the crap out of him and he did not want to record bruises on his face : ) : ) !
Very interesting to hear about this side of the Iaido world. I practiced Iaido about 15 years ago, and the first thing the senseis told us about training is that we're fighting our 'bad' sides when we do the katas, making it a more spiritual training. And me myself liked that idea of it, as a form of meditation to combat your own negative emotions or sides of yourself you didn't like.
This, I think, is where the idea of "virtual enemy" that Shogo talks about comes from.
But the way YOU put it, that is what I believe such a concept should be like.
Training for mental balance os Very useful, there is space for that as for martial arts with enphasis on combat.
13:31 in this condition the best martial art is Kendo, because if you just swing the sword around your body, you will never learn how to really fight. If you train in Battodo it will also not help you much. The reason is that if you just cut the mats, which are an object, so they won't strike back. A person will strike back for sure, because they are a living thing. That's why Kendo is the best, because you're FIGHTING someONE instead of ONLY STRIKING someTHING. The problem with Kendo is that it's more of a sport, instead of a martial art.